Cavan's season is still alive after they overcame the dreaded six-day turnaround to defeat Carlow at Kingspan Breffni Park.

After a win that was just a little too close for comfort, Terry Hyland's side live to fight another day.

Carlow, who finished a full 18 places below Cavan in the league, set out to stifle the hosts and they held them to just five more points in the first half.

Darragh Foley and Daniel St Ledger fired over a brace apiece from frees to keep the Leinster side, recent victors over Wicklow, in touch. They were a point down in the dregs of the first half before Man of the Match Gearoid McKiernan and the effervescent Killian Clarke landed points to ease Cavan into a 1-6 to 0-5 interval lead.

Cavan were guilty of trying to force the issue and looked panicky at times as the visitors hung tough. Despite three frees from Seanie Johnston, Cavan struggled to shake Carlow off and with 20 minutes to go there was just four points separating them.

However, a 51st minute goal from Cian Mackey finally put some daylight between the teams. Cavan finished with 14 men after Dara McVeety added a black card to his earlier yellow.